A voluntary asymptomatic COVID-19 testing site has finally been announced for schools in Chatham-Kent.
The Lambton Kent District School Board, St. Clair Catholic District School Board, Conseil scolaire catholique Providence and Conseil scolaire Viamonde, in partnership with Chatham-Kent Lambton Administrative School Services (CKLASS), will start to test students and staff on Sunday, March 21, 2021 at Ursuline College Chatham Catholic Secondary School located at 85 Grand Avenue West in Chatham between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
The Ministry of Education has directed Ontario schools to conduct voluntary asymptomatic COVID-19 testing of students and staff to prevent the spread of the virus. Children and staff from childcare centres located inside schools and school bus drivers can also get tested. The four school boards are sharing facilities and providing families with open access to locations regardless of what school board the students attend.
The voluntary asymptomatic testing will be conducted by LifeLabs, the vendor contracted by the Ministry of Education and coordinated by CKLASS -- but parent and guardian consent is required before the test is done.
The following schools and associated child care locations are invited to participate in the March 21 COVID-19 testing:
- Ursuline College Chatham Catholic Secondary School
- Tecumseh Public School and Growing Together Family Resource Centre
- Monsignor Uyen Catholic School and YMCA Child Care (including Our Lady of Fatima site)
- Ecole elementaire catholique Sainte-Marie and Tilbury Tots
The school boards said all eligible students, staff and children in childcare centres in other Chatham-Kent schools of the four participating school boards are also welcome to attend the voluntary testing. School board officials are asking everyone to wear a face mask and bring the child’s health card.
"Following a successful launch last weekend in Sarnia, we are pleased to move forward with voluntary asymptomatic COVID-19 testing for students and school staff in Chatham-Kent on March 21," said Kent Orr, General Manager of CKLASS.
Public school board education director John Howitt said a permanent testing company hasn't been selected by the province yet but it should be announced soon. Talks have been underway with GVT Labs and Howitt added the company may still end up being the local tester. Howitt also said the site at Ursuline College Chatham will not be permanent. The plan is to move the testing locations around the municipality for better access to other schools.
"Our intent when we are able to share a plan is that it does move around both Lambton County and Chatham-Kent in various communities," said Howitt.
Specific information for families will be provided directly by schools. You can find more information and the schedule for further locations and dates for on-site testing in Sarnia-Lambton and Chatham-Kent by clicking here.